Brief Description: Creating the individual and family services program for people with developmental disabilities.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Pflug, Parlette, Kastama, Franklin, Fairley, Weinstein, Marr, Tom, Brown, Hargrove, Zarelli, McAuliffe, Regala, Clements, Kilmer, Oemig, Pridemore, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles, Benton, Kline and Roach).

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care
Senate Committee on Ways & Means
House Committee on Human Services
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Most people with developmental disabilities who receive state services live with their families. Subject to appropriation, the Department of Social and Health Services Division of Developmental Disabilities (DSHS DDD) provides limited funding to families for contracted services such as respite care, therapies, adaptive equipment, counseling, and training. These services are administered through multiple programs administered by DSHS DDD, and are commonly known as "family support." Although DSHS is authorized to administer family support services in statute, the descriptions of the programs themselves and criteria for the programs are not in statute. The current family support programs administered by DSHS DDD have varying criteria for who is eligible and do not use consistent assessment processes. Approximately 4,300 families currently receive family support. Another 10,000 families are on a waiting list for family support services, 4,200 of whom are documented as receiving some other service from DSHS DDD.

The 2005 Legislature, through the operating budget, provided funding for a family support pilot limited to families with gross incomes below 400 percent of Federal Poverty Level and a documented need for services. In January 2007, DSHS released a report on family support as required by the budget. The report made a number of recommendations, including consolidating the existing family support programs into one, using a new assessment tool to determine service need, and prioritizing the program based on financial need.

Summary: The bill is to be known as the Lance Morehouse, Jr. Individual and Family Services Act (Act) and it creates the Individual and Family Services Program (Program). The Program replaces Family Support Opportunities, Traditional Family Support, and the Flexible Family Support Pilot Program. The Department is required to adopt rules for the Program including the following:

Eligibility: Eligibility to receive services is to be determined based solely on an assessment of individual need.

Service Priority: Service priority levels are to be established by the Department that specify a maximum amount of dollars for each person per level per year.

Adjustments to Service Caps: The dollar caps at each service priority must be adjusted by the vendor rate increases authorized by the Legislature.

Allowable Services: Services available under the program include:

• respite care;
• therapies;
• architectural and vehicular modifications;
• equipment and supplies;
• specialized nutrition and clothing;
• excess medical costs not covered by another source;
• copays for medical and therapeutic services;
• transportation;
• training;
• counseling;
• behavior management;
• parent/sibling education;
• recreational opportunities; and
• community services grants.

Funding for one-time exceptional needs and emergencies is also available for individuals and families not receiving the annual grants. Respite care is available to a parent who provides personal care in the home to his or her adult son or daughter with developmental disabilities.

If a person has more complex needs, the family is experiencing a prolonged crisis, or a person needs additional services, the Department must assess the individual to determine if placement in a waiver program would be appropriate.

No entitlement or judicial authority to order services is created by the Act.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      97   0   (House amended)
Senate      48   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective:   July 22, 2007